Distributed beamforming system with user side beamforming processing

ABSTRACT

A distributed beamforming system including a platform terminal and a plurality of user terminals is disclosed. An individual user terminal includes a receiver configured to receive a plurality of individual wireless signals, where the plurality of individual wireless signals are transmitted by the platform terminal and are orthogonal with respect to one another. The individual user terminal also includes one or more frequency converters configured to transform each of the plurality of individual wireless signals to an intermediate frequency. The individual user terminal is configured to coherently combine the plurality of individual wireless signals together to form a beamformed signal.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates to a distributed beamforming system. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure is directed towards a distributedbeamforming system having a platform terminal including a phased arrayof antenna elements and a plurality of user terminals, where each userterminal generates a beamformed signal.

BACKGROUND

Beamforming is a signal processing technique that directs a radiationpattern created by an array of antenna elements towards a receivingdevice rather than have the radiation pattern spread in all directions.A multi-access beamforming payload allows for multiple receiving devicesto share an allotted spectrum. If the receiving devices are capable ofmovement, then the system may require the beams either track themovement of the receiving devices or employ a priori known orcommunicated geometry.

Existing solutions employ either on-board beamforming or gateway-sideground-based beamforming. When beamforming processing is performed by aprocessor that is co-located on the same platform as the antenna array,this is referred to as on-board beamforming. Alternatively, if thesignal processing is performed by a gateway that is remotely locatedfrom the antenna array, this is referred to as a ground-basedbeamforming. Each beamforming technique has its advantages anddisadvantages. For example, gateway-side ground-based beamformingsystems include a bandwidth expansion that is proportional to the numberof antenna elements. As a result, an operator may need to secureadditional spectrum between the gateway and the platform. However,gateway-side ground-based beamforming systems place the beamformingprocessor at the gateway, which may enable additional processing powerthat would have not been possible at a remote site where the platformmay be located.

SUMMARY

According to several aspects, a distributed beamforming system includinga platform terminal and a plurality of user terminals is disclosed. Anindividual user terminal includes a receiver configured to receive aplurality of individual wireless signals, where the plurality ofindividual wireless signals are transmitted by the platform terminal andare orthogonal with respect to one another. The individual user terminalalso includes one or more frequency converters configured to transformeach of the plurality of individual wireless signals to an intermediatefrequency. The individual user terminal also includes one or moreprocessors in electronic communication with the receiver and the one ormore frequency converters and a memory coupled to the one or moreprocessors. The memory stores data into a database and program codethat, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the individualuser terminal to transform, by the one or more frequency converters,each of the plurality of individual wireless signals generated by theplatform terminal into the intermediate frequency. The individual userterminal is also caused to apply an amplitude weight and a phase shiftto each of the plurality of individual wireless signals and coherentlycombine the plurality of individual wireless signals together to form abeamformed signal.

In another aspect, a method of creating a beamformed signal by anindividual user terminal is disclosed, where the individual userterminal is part of a distributed beamforming system. The methodincludes transmitting, by a platform terminal, a plurality of individualwireless signals that are orthogonal with respect to one another. Themethod also includes receiving the plurality of individual wirelesssignals by a receiver that is part of the individual user terminal. Themethod further includes transforming, by one or more frequencyconverters, each of the plurality of individual wireless signalsgenerated by the platform terminal into an intermediate frequency. Themethod also includes apply an amplitude weight and a phase shift to eachof the plurality of individual wireless signals and coherently combiningthe plurality of individual wireless signals together to form abeamformed signal.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed may beachieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined inother embodiments further details of which can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the disclosed distributed beamformingsystem including a plurality of user terminals and a platform terminal,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the platform terminal emitting aplurality of individual wireless signals to the user terminal, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of transmittingthe individual wireless signals by the platform terminal, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an individual user terminal, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating distances between eachindividual antenna element of the user terminal and the receiver of anindividual user terminal, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of generating abeamformed signal by an individual user terminal, according to anexemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is an exemplary computer system for the platform terminal and theuser terminals, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a distributed beamforming systemincluding a plurality of user terminals and a platform terminal. Theplatform terminal includes an antenna array having a plurality ofantenna elements, where each antenna element emits a wide-area beam thatencompasses all of the user terminals that are part of the distributedbeamforming system. The platform terminal transmits a plurality ofindividual wireless signals that are orthogonal with respect to oneanother based on frequency, time, or by coding techniques. It is to beappreciated that there is a one-to-one mapping of each individualwireless signal to each of the antenna elements located on the platformterminal. The individual wireless signals are received by eachindividual user terminal. The user terminals apply an amplitude weightand a phase shift to each of the individual wireless signals. Theindividual wireless signals are then combined together at the individualuser terminals to generate a beamformed signal. It is to be appreciatedthat the disclosed beamforming system includes user side beamformingprocessing. In other words, the beamforming processing is performed atthe user terminals, where the user terminals form the beamformed signal.In contrast, conventional systems perform the beamforming processing ata gateway terminal or a satellite, and the individual wireless signalsare combined together in the free space between the platform terminaland the user terminals.

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary communications system 10 is shown. Thecommunications system 10 includes one or more gateway terminals 20, aplurality of user terminals 22, and one or more platform terminals 24.The gateway terminal 20 represents a source of signals. In theembodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the gateway terminal 20 is in electroniccommunication with the platform terminal 24 by an electronic connection28. The electronic connection 28 is a wireless signal or, alternatively,a cable connection that electronically connects the gateway terminal 20and the platform terminal 24 to one another. In one non-limitingembodiment, the gateway terminal 20 receives the signals from anexternal source, such as a satellite (not shown). Alternatively, inanother embodiment, the gateway terminal 20 generates the signals. Eachof the plurality of user terminals 22 are in wireless communication withthe platform terminal 24. Accordingly, the user terminals 22 receivesignals from the platform terminal 24.

The communications system 10 includes a distributed beamforming system30, where the beamforming system 30 includes the plurality of userterminals 22 and the platform terminal 24. As explained below, thedistributed beamforming system 30 is configured to process beamformingsignals at each of the plurality of user terminals 22. In oneembodiment, the gateway terminal 20, the plurality of user terminals 22,and the platform terminal 24 are fixed in a particular location.However, in another embodiment, the gateway terminal 20, the pluralityof user terminals 22, and the platform terminal 24 are mobile. Each ofthe user terminals 22 correspond to a user of the communications system10. Some examples of user terminals 22 include, but are not limited to,a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone, an aircraft, aspacecraft, or a ground station. The gateway terminal 20, the pluralityof user terminals 22, and the platform terminal 24 may be terrestrial,aerial, or located in space. For example, in an embodiment, the platformterminal 24 is part of a spacecraft or an aircraft. The user terminals22 are distributed in various geographical locations and spaced apartfrom one another.

The platform terminal 24 includes an antenna array 50 including aplurality of antenna elements 52, which may be referred to as a phasedarray of antenna elements 52. The antenna array 50 includes a field ofregard 42. The user terminals 22 are each located within the field ofregard of the antenna array 50 of the platform terminal 24. As seen inFIG. 1, the antenna elements 52 each emit a wide-area beam 56. Thewide-area beams 56 emitted by each of the antenna elements 52 overlapone another to define an area of uncertainty 68. The area of uncertainty68 represents a location where all of the plurality of user terminals 22that are part of the distributed beamforming system 30 are located. Thenumber of antenna elements 52 of the antenna array 50 of the platformterminal 24 is equal to a total number of user terminals 22 that arelocated within the area of uncertainty 68.

In the event one or more of the user terminals 22 are mobile, then thearea of uncertainty 68 accounts for movement of each user terminal 22.For example, if the user terminals 22 are limited to movement within thecontinental United States, then the area of uncertainty 68 would includethe entire continental United States. In other words, an individual userterminal 22 is restricted in movement to the area of uncertainty 68 ofthe distributed beamforming system 30. Accordingly, it is to beappreciated that the platform terminal 24 may not know the location ofeach user terminal 22. In other words, since the antenna elements 52each emit a wide-area beam 56 that encompasses each of the userterminals 22, it is not necessary for the platform terminal 24 to haveknowledge the location of each user terminal 22. Therefore, it is notnecessary for the platform terminal 24 to track the location of anymobile users that change location. Additionally, the user terminals 22do not need to reveal their location to the platform terminal 24. Incontrast, conventional on-board beamforming systems generate beams thateither track the movement of the receiving devices or employ a prioriknown geometry.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the platform terminal 24 and one of theuser terminals 22, where the platform terminal 24 is in wirelesscommunication with the user terminal 22. The platform terminal 24includes a signal splitter and combiner 54 and a plurality ofmultipliers 58 that each correspond to one of the antenna elements 52.It is to be appreciated that the signal processing elements of theplatform terminal 24 (i.e., the signal splitter and combiner 54 and theplurality of multipliers 58) may be implemented in analog hardware or,alternatively, in digital hardware.

The platform terminal 24 either generates an incoming signal 60 or,alternatively, receives the incoming signal 60 from an external sourcesuch as a satellite (not shown). The signal splitter and combiner 54 isconfigured to split the incoming signal 60 into two or more individualwireless signals 62. Specifically, the signal splitter and combiner 54is configured to split the incoming signal 60 into a plurality ofindividual wireless signals 62, where each individual wireless signal 62corresponds to a corresponding one of the plurality of antenna elements52 of the antenna array 50. In other words, the number of individualwireless signals 62 is equal to the number of antenna elements 52 of theantenna array 50. For example, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2,three antenna elements 52 are shown. Accordingly, the signal splitterand combiner 54 splits the incoming signal 60 into three individualwireless signals 62. The individual wireless signals 62 are identical tothe incoming signal 60. The individual wireless signals 62 eachrepresent a copy of the incoming signal 60. As explained below, theindividual wireless signals 62 are separate from each other and provideorthogonal channels for communication by the plurality of antennaelements 52. Alternatively, if the antenna array 50 receives incomingsignals, the signal splitter and combiner 54 combines the incomingsignals together.

The multipliers 58 are configured to either upconvert or downconvert acenter frequency of each of the individual wireless signals 62 into acommon center frequency. Specifically, the multipliers 58 performfrequency conversion to ensure the individual wireless signals 62 do notoverlap one another in the frequency domain. Alternatively, as mentionedabove, the individual wireless signals 62 are orthogonal with respect toone another by code or by time. The individual wireless signals 62 arethen sent to a corresponding one of the antenna elements 52 of theantenna array 50.

The plurality of individual wireless signals 62 are transmitted to eachof the plurality of user terminals 22 (seen in FIG. 1) by the antennaarray 50, where each of the plurality of antenna elements 52 transmits asingle individual wireless signal 62. The individual wireless signals 62are separate from one another, and the wide-area beams 56 (seen inFIG. 1) emitted from each antenna element 52 do not sum together orcancel one another. The individual wireless signals 62 are separablefrom one another by frequency, time, or code depending upon the specifictransmission method used to wirelessly connects the platform terminal 24to the user terminals 22. There are three types of transmission methods,which include frequency-division multiple access (FDMA), time-divisionmultiple access (TDMA), and code division multiple access (CDMA).

In an embodiment, the platform terminal 24 is in wireless communicationwith the user terminals 22 based on the FDMA transmission method, wherethe individual wireless signals 62 are orthogonal to one another byfrequency, and where the individual wireless signals 62 are separatedfrom one another by at least one bandwidth. In another embodiment, theplatform terminal 24 is in wireless communication with the plurality ofuser terminals 22 based on the TDMA transmission method, where theindividual wireless signals 62 are orthogonal to one another by oneanother based on time. In other words, there is a lack of simultaneitybetween the individual wireless signals 62. Similarly, if CDMA isemployed, then the individual wireless signals 62 are orthogonal to oneanother based on coding techniques that ensure the individual wirelesssignals 62 are separable by applying inverse code at a receiver 70 ofthe user terminal 22. One example of a coding technique that results inorthogonal channels is Walsh coding.

Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the wide-area beams 56 emitted by eachantenna element 52 of the antenna array 50 encompass each of the userterminals 22. In other words, each the user terminal 22 is locatedwithin the wide-area beam 56 emitted by each and every antenna element52 that is part of the antenna array 50. Thus, the user terminal 22receives each individual wireless signal 62 emitted by the platformterminal 24. As explained below, the user terminal 22 combines theindividual wireless signals 62 into a beamformed signal 80.

It is to be appreciated that there is a bandwidth expansion at theplatform terminal 24. The bandwidth expansion is based on the number ofantenna elements 52. Specifically, the bandwidth expansion is expressedas B_(EXP)=N_(E)*B_(OCC), where B_(EXP) represents bandwidth expansion,N_(E) represents the number of antenna elements 52, and B_(OCC)represents the occupied bandwidth. However, unlike ground-basedbeamforming, the bandwidth expansion does not occur at the gatewayterminal 20 and is instead at the platform terminal 24. This may beespecially advantageous in situations where the platform terminal 24 islimited in size, weight, and power, and as a result is not able toperform on-board beamforming. Furthermore, it is also to be appreciatedthat sometimes the platform terminal 24 may be located in an environmentthat is hostile to digital signal processing. For example, the platformterminal 24 may be in the presence of ionizing radiation.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary process flow diagram illustrating a method 200 ofwireless communication between the platform terminal 24 and theplurality of user terminals 22 that are part of the distributedbeamforming system 30. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the method 200 begins atblock 202. In block 202, the platform terminal 24 receives the incomingsignal 60. In the embodiment of block 202A, the platform terminal 24generates the incoming signal 60. In the alternative embodiment of block202B, the platform terminal 24 receives the incoming signal 60 from anexternal source such as, for example, the gateway terminal 20. Themethod 200 may then proceed to block 204.

In block 204, the incoming signal 60 is split into the plurality ofindividual wireless signals 62 by the signal splitter and combiner 54.Each individual wireless signal 62 corresponds to one of the pluralityof antenna elements 52 of the antenna array 50 of the platform terminal24. The method 200 may then proceed to block 206.

In block 206, each of the antenna elements 52 generate a wide-area beam56 that encompasses each of the plurality of user terminals 22 (seen inFIG. 1). The method 200 may then proceed to block 208.

In block 208, the plurality of individual wireless signals 62 aretransmitted to the user terminal 22 by the antenna array 50, where eachof the plurality of antenna elements 52 transmit a single individualwireless signal 62 as a wide-area beam 56. As mentioned above, theindividual wireless signals 62 are orthogonal with respect to oneanother. The method 200 may then terminate or proceed back to block 202.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the beamforming processing, which is performedby the user terminals 22, shall now be described. Each individual userterminal 22 includes a receiver 70 configured to receive the pluralityof individual wireless signals 62 from the platform terminal 24, anamplifier 72, a wideband filter 74, one or more frequency converters 76,and a weight and summing block 78. The individual user terminal 22generates a beamformed signal 80. It is to be appreciated that the userterminal 22 includes specific processing elements (seen in FIG. 4) basedon the transmission method employed between the platform terminal 24 andthe individual user terminal 22, which is explained below. Referring toFIG. 2, the receiver 70 is configured to receive the plurality ofindividual wireless signals 62. As mentioned above, the plurality ofindividual wireless signals 62 are transmitted by the platform terminal24 and are orthogonal with respect to one another.

The amplifier 72 is configured to receive the plurality of individualwireless signals 62 from the platform terminal 24. In an embodiment, theamplifier 72 is a low noise amplifier, which is classified based on gainand linearity. The individual wireless signals 62 are then sent to thewideband filter 74. The wideband filter 74 is in electroniccommunication with the one or more frequency converters 76 and isconfigured to pass signals within an occupied frequency and attenuatefrequencies outside of the occupied frequency spectrum. The individualuser terminal 22 includes a bandwidth expansion that is proportional tothe number of antenna elements 52 of the antenna array 50 of theplatform terminal 24. It is to be appreciated that the bandwidthexpansion occurs at the wideband filter 74. As mentioned above, thebandwidth expansion is expressed as B_(EXP)=N_(E)*B_(OCC), where B_(EXP)represents bandwidth expansion, N_(E) represents the number of antennaelements 52 of the platform terminal 24.

The one or more frequency converters 76 are configured to transform eachof the plurality of individual wireless signals 62 generated by theplatform terminal 24 into an intermediate frequency. The specificconfiguration of the frequency converters 76 are based on the specifictransmission method between the platform terminal 24 and the individualuser terminal 22 (i.e., FDMA, CDMA, or TDMA). Referring to FIG. 4, ifthe transmission method is FDMA then user terminal 22 includes aplurality of frequency converters 76A and a plurality of filters 90. Thenumber of frequency converters 76A of the user terminal 22 is equal tothe number of antenna elements 52 of the platform terminal 24.Similarly, the number of filters 90 of the user terminal is equal to thenumber of antenna elements 52 of the platform terminal 24.

Each frequency converter 76A is configured to transform a correspondingindividual wireless signal 62 from the platform terminal 24 into theintermediate frequency. Each of the plurality of filters 90 areconfigured to receive a corresponding individual wireless signal 62 froma corresponding one of the frequency converters 76A. Thus, each filter90 is configured to pass one of the individual wireless signals 62. Theindividual wireless signals 62 are then sent to the weight and summingblock 78.

The weight and summing block 78 is configured to apply an amplitudeweight and a phase shift to each of the plurality of individual wirelesssignals 62, and then coherently combines the plurality of individualwireless signals 62 together to form the beamformed signal 80. Theweight and summing block 78 determines the amplitude weight and thephase shift based on a difference in phase between each of the pluralityof antenna elements 52 that are part of the antenna array 50 and theorientation of each antenna element 52 relative to the receiver 70 ofthe individual user terminal 22. Specifically, the amplitude weight andthe phase shift are based on a difference in phase between each antennaelement 52 of the antenna array 50 of the platform terminal and thereceiver 70 of the user terminal 22. The phase difference between eachantenna element 52 and the receiver 70 as well as the distance betweeneach antenna element 52 and the receiver 70 may be communicated in avariety of different formats such as, but not limited to, a static arrayspacing description, ephemeris knowledge, or attitude knowledge.

For example, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the antenna element52A is located at a distance x from the receiver 70 and has a phaseshift of y degrees. It is to be appreciated that the phase shift y isproportional to the distance x. Specifically, the relationship betweenthe phase shift y and the distance x is expressed as y=2πx/λ, where λrepresents a wavelength and the phase shift y is expressed in radians.The antenna element 52B is located at a first distance D1 from theantenna element 52A, and the antenna element 52C is located at a seconddistance D2 from the antenna element 52B. Thus, the phase shift y variesfor each of the antenna elements 52. Since the weight and summing block78 has knowledge of the phase difference between each antenna element 52and the receiver 70 as well as the distance between each antenna element52 and the receiver 70, the phase shifty for each antenna element 52 maybe calculated. Specifically, the weight and summing block 78 applies aninverse value of the phase shift y, which in turn compensates for thephase shift y and removes the differences in phase shift that occursbetween the antenna elements 52.

Referring to FIG. 4, if the transmission method is CDMA then userterminal 22 includes a frequency converter 76B and a plurality ofdespreading blocks 92 in communication with the frequency converter 76B.Each despreading block 92 is configured to retrieve a corresponding oneof the individual wireless signals 62. Thus, the number of despreadingblocks 92 is equal to the number of antenna elements 52 of the antennaarray 50 of the platform terminal 24 (FIG. 2). Each despreading blockcombines the corresponding individual wireless signal 62 with aspreading code using an exclusive OR gate (not shown). The individualwireless signals 62 are then sent to the weight and summing block 78. Asmentioned above, the weight and summing block 78 is configured to applythe amplitude weight and the phase shift to each of the plurality ofindividual wireless signals 62, and then coherently combines theplurality of individual wireless signals 62 together to form thebeamformed signal 80.

If the transmission method is TDMA, then the user terminal 22 includes afrequency converter 76C and a plurality of plurality of delay lines 94in electronic communication with the frequency converter 76C, where adelay line 94 is provided for each of the individual wireless signals62. In other words, the number of delay lines 94 is equal to the numberof antenna elements 52 of the antenna array 50 of the platform terminal24 (FIG. 2). Each delay line 94 is configured to implement a unique timedelay to the corresponding individual wireless signal 62. Specifically,the delay lines 94 are configured to implement a sequential time delaybetween the plurality of individual wireless signals 62. The individualwireless signals 62 are then sent to the weight and summing block 78. Asmentioned above, the weight and summing block 78 is configured to applythe amplitude weight and the phase shift to each of the plurality ofindividual wireless signals 62, and then coherently combines theplurality of individual wireless signals 62 together to form thebeamformed signal 80.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a method 300 of creating the beamformed signal80 by the individual user terminal 22 is disclosed. Referring to FIGS.1, 2, 4, and 6, the method 200 begins at block 302. In block 302, theplatform terminal 24 transmits the plurality of individual wirelesssignals 62 that are orthogonal with respect to one another. The method300 may then proceed to block 304.

In block 304, the receiver 70 that is part of the individual userterminal 22 receives the plurality of individual wireless signals 62.The method 300 may then proceed to block 306.

In block 306, the one or more frequency converters 76 transform each ofthe plurality of individual wireless signals 62 generated by theplatform terminal 24 into the intermediate frequency. As seen in FIG. 4,the specific configuration of the one or more frequency converters 76 isbased on the specific transmission method between the platform terminal24 and the individual user terminal 22 (i.e., FDMA, CDMA, or TDMA). Themethod 300 may then proceed to block 308.

In block 308, the amplitude weight and the phase shift are determined bythe weight and summing block 78 (FIG. 4) based on a difference in phasebetween each antenna element 52 of the antenna array 50 of the platformterminal 24 and the receiver 70 of the individual user terminal 22. Themethod 300 may then proceed to block 310.

In block 310, the amplitude weight and the phase shift are applied toeach of the plurality of individual wireless signals 62. The method 300may then proceed to block 312.

In block 312, the plurality of individual wireless signals 62 arecoherently combined together to form the beamformed signal 80. Themethod 300 may then terminate.

Referring generally to the figures, the disclosed distributedbeamforming system provides various technical effects and benefits.Specifically, unlike conventional beamforming systems, the distributedbeamforming system performs the beamforming processing at the userterminals. As a result, it is not necessary for the platform terminal tohave knowledge of the location of each user terminal. It is alsounnecessary for the platform terminal to track the location of anymobile user terminals that change location. Additionally, the userterminals do not need to reveal their location to the platform terminal.The distributed beamforming system scales to a large number of userwithout the need to increase array complexity. Accordingly, thedisclosed beamforming system may be especially advantageous for low-ratedata communications systems that employ a large number of users.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the user terminals 22 and the platform terminal24 are implemented on one or more computer devices or systems, such asexemplary computer system 1030. The computer system 1030 includes aprocessor 1032, a memory 1034, a mass storage memory device 1036, aninput/output (I/O) interface 1038, and a Human Machine Interface (HMI)1040. The computer system 1030 is operatively coupled to one or moreexternal resources 1042 via the network 1026 or I/O interface 1038.External resources may include, but are not limited to, servers,databases, mass storage devices, peripheral devices, cloud-based networkservices, or any other suitable computer resource that may be used bythe computer system 1030.

The processor 1032 includes one or more devices selected frommicroprocessors, micro-controllers, digital signal processors,microcomputers, central processing units, field programmable gatearrays, programmable logic devices, state machines, logic circuits,analog circuits, digital circuits, or any other devices that manipulatesignals (analog or digital) based on operational instructions that arestored in the memory 1034. Memory 1034 includes a single memory deviceor a plurality of memory devices including, but not limited to,read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatile memory,non-volatile memory, static random-access memory (SRAM), dynamicrandom-access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache memory, or any otherdevice capable of storing information. The mass storage memory device1036 includes data storage devices such as a hard drive, optical drive,tape drive, volatile or non-volatile solid-state device, or any otherdevice capable of storing information.

The processor 1032 operates under the control of an operating system1046 that resides in memory 1034. The operating system 1046 managescomputer resources so that computer program code embodied as one or morecomputer software applications, such as an application 1048 residing inmemory 1034, may have instructions executed by the processor 1032. In analternative example, the processor 1032 may execute the application 1048directly, in which case the operating system 1046 may be omitted. One ormore data structures 1049 also reside in memory 1034, and may be used bythe processor 1032, operating system 1046, or application 1048 to storeor manipulate data.

The I/O interface 1038 provides a machine interface that operativelycouples the processor 1032 to other devices and systems, such as thenetwork 1026 or external resource 1042. The application 1048 therebyworks cooperatively with the network 1026 or external resource 1042 bycommunicating via the I/O interface 1038 to provide the variousfeatures, functions, applications, processes, or modules comprisingexamples of the disclosure. The application 1048 also includes programcode that is executed by one or more external resources 1042, orotherwise rely on functions or signals provided by other system ornetwork components external to the computer system 1030. Indeed, giventhe nearly endless hardware and software configurations possible,persons having ordinary skill in the art will understand that examplesof the disclosure may include applications that are located externallyto the computer system 1030, distributed among multiple computers orother external resources 1042, or provided by computing resources(hardware and software) that are provided as a service over the network1026, such as a cloud computing service.

The HMI 1040 is operatively coupled to the processor 1032 of computersystem 1030 in a known manner to allow a user to interact directly withthe computer system 1030. The HMI 1040 may include video or alphanumericdisplays, a touch screen, a speaker, and any other suitable audio andvisual indicators capable of providing data to the user. The HMI 1040also includes input devices and controls such as an alphanumerickeyboard, a pointing device, keypads, pushbuttons, control knobs,microphones, etc., capable of accepting commands or input from the userand transmitting the entered input to the processor 1032.

A database 1044 may reside on the mass storage memory device 1036 andmay be used to collect and organize data used by the various systems andmodules described herein. The database 1044 may include data andsupporting data structures that store and organize the data. Inparticular, the database 1044 may be arranged with any databaseorganization or structure including, but not limited to, a relationaldatabase, a hierarchical database, a network database, or combinationsthereof. A database management system in the form of a computer softwareapplication executing as instructions on the processor 1032 may be usedto access the information or data stored in records of the database 1044in response to a query, where a query may be dynamically determined andexecuted by the operating system 1046, other applications 1048, or oneor more modules.

The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in natureand variations that do not depart from the gist of the presentdisclosure are intended to be within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A distributed beamforming system that is part ofa communications system, wherein the distributed beamforming systemincludes a platform terminal and a plurality of user terminals, whereinan individual user terminal comprises: a receiver configured to receivea plurality of individual wireless signals, wherein the plurality ofindividual wireless signals are transmitted by the platform terminal andare orthogonal with respect to one another; one or more frequencyconverters configured to transform each of the plurality of individualwireless signals to an intermediate frequency; one or more processors inelectronic communication with the receiver and the one or more frequencyconverters; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, thememory storing data into a database and program code that, when executedby the one or more processors, causes the individual user terminal to:transform each of the plurality of individual wireless signals generatedby the platform terminal into the intermediate frequency; apply anamplitude weight and a phase shift to each of the plurality ofindividual wireless signals; and coherently combine the plurality ofindividual wireless signals together to form a beamformed signal,wherein the individual user terminal corresponds to an end user of thecommunication system.
 2. The distributed beamforming system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of individual wireless signals are orthogonal toone another by frequency.
 3. The distributed beamforming system of claim2, wherein the individual user terminal includes a plurality offrequency converters, and wherein a number of frequency converters isequal to a number of antenna elements that are part of an antenna arrayof the platform terminal.
 4. The distributed beamforming system of claim3, wherein the individual user terminal further comprises a plurality offilters, wherein each of the plurality of filters receives acorresponding individual wireless signal from a corresponding frequencyconverter.
 5. The distributed beamforming system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of individual wireless signals are orthogonal to one anotherby time.
 6. The distributed beamforming system of claim 5, wherein theindividual user terminal further comprises a plurality of plurality ofdelay lines in electronic communication with the one or more frequencyconverters, wherein the plurality of delay lines are configured toimplement a sequential time delay between the plurality of individualwireless signals.
 7. The distributed beamforming system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of individual wireless signals are orthogonal toone another by coding techniques.
 8. The distributed beamforming systemof claim 7, wherein the individual user terminal further comprises aplurality of despreading blocks in communication with the one or morefrequency converters, wherein each despreading block is configured toretrieve a corresponding individual wireless signals.
 9. The distributedbeamforming system of claim 1, wherein the individual user terminal is amobile electronic device, an aircraft, a spacecraft, or a groundstation.
 10. The distributed beamforming system of claim 1, wherein theindividual user terminal is mobile.
 11. The distributed beamformingsystem of claim 10, wherein the individual user terminal is restrictedin movement to an area of uncertainty of the distributed beamformingsystem.
 12. The distributed beamforming system of claim 1, wherein theplatform terminal further comprises an antenna array including aplurality of antenna elements.
 13. The distributed beamforming system ofclaim 12, wherein the individual user terminal includes a bandwidthexpansion that is proportional to a number of antenna elements of theantenna array.
 14. The distributed beamforming system of claim 12,wherein the amplitude weight and the phase shift are determined based ona difference in phase between each antenna element of the antenna arrayof the platform terminal and the receiver of the user terminal.
 15. Thedistributed beamforming system of claim 1, wherein the user terminalfurther comprises an amplifier configured to receive the plurality ofindividual wireless signals from the platform terminal.
 16. Thedistributed beamforming system of claim 1, wherein the user terminalfurther comprises a wideband filter in electronic communication with theone or more frequency converters.
 17. The distributed beamforming systemof claim 1, wherein the plurality of individual wireless signals areorthogonal to one another by time, frequency, or coding techniques. 18.A method of creating a beamformed signal by an individual user terminal,wherein the individual user terminal is part of a distributedbeamforming system that is part of a communications system, the methodcomprising: transmitting, by a platform terminal, a plurality ofindividual wireless signals that are orthogonal with respect to oneanother; receiving the plurality of individual wireless signals by areceiver that is part of the individual user terminal; transforming, byone or more frequency converters, each of the plurality of individualwireless signals generated by the platform terminal into an intermediatefrequency; applying an amplitude weight and a phase shift to each of theplurality of individual wireless signals; and coherently combining theplurality of individual wireless signals together to form a beamformedsignal, wherein the individual user terminal corresponds to an end userof the communication system.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theplurality of individual wireless signals are orthogonal to one anotherby time, frequency, or coding techniques.
 20. The method of claim 18,wherein the individual user terminal is mobile.